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The Chessmen: Masters of Seduction #3
In Want of a Viscount
How far would an abandoned son go to get revenge?
American Leonora Garrison has come to England in desperate search of investors to keep her family business afloat but instead finds surprising pleasure when she visits an exclusive ladies' club and dares to kiss a stranger, who leaves her yearning for more.
With a libertine for a father, Viscount Wyeth, more commonly known as Rook, vowed to live his life above reproach, with nary a hint of disgrace. Until one night, he takes a mysterious beauty into his arms, a lady who tempts him to cast his sterling reputation aside in favor of more wicked pursuits.
When fate reunites the couple, they are torn between desire and duty. Leonora may want the viscount, but she needs a stakeholder not a lover. When caught in a compromising situation that places everything they hold dear at risk, they must determine how best to win. However, in this scandalous game, nothing except love takes all.
American Leonora Garrison has come to England in desperate search of investors to keep her family business afloat but instead finds surprising pleasure when she visits an exclusive ladies' club and dares to kiss a stranger, who leaves her yearning for more.
With a libertine for a father, Viscount Wyeth, more commonly known as Rook, vowed to live his life above reproach, with nary a hint of disgrace. Until one night, he takes a mysterious beauty into his arms, a lady who tempts him to cast his sterling reputation aside in favor of more wicked pursuits.
When fate reunites the couple, they are torn between desire and duty. Leonora may want the viscount, but she needs a stakeholder not a lover. When caught in a compromising situation that places everything they hold dear at risk, they must determine how best to win. However, in this scandalous game, nothing except love takes all.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2024
131 people are currently reading
2,097 people want to read
About the author
Lorraine Heath
84books4,302followersAlso writes Young Adult under Rachel Hawthorne, Jade Parker, and with her son as J.A. London.
Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."�
She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero, (the Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.
When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.� She began her career writing training manuals and computer code for the IRS, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since.
Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA®. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including �USA TODAY and the New York Times.
The author of more than 60 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers.
Under the names Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker, she writes popular contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance for teens readers. She also writes young adult novels with her son under the name J. A. London.
Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."�
She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero, (the Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.
When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.� She began her career writing training manuals and computer code for the IRS, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since.
Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA®. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including �USA TODAY and the New York Times.
The author of more than 60 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers.
Under the names Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker, she writes popular contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance for teens readers. She also writes young adult novels with her son under the name J. A. London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
November 30, 2023
✨In Want of a Sexually Charged Foot Massage in the Middle of a Ballroom�
In Want of a Viscount was a classicly charming, effortlessly well-written Lorraine Heath novel, and my favorite in the Chessmen Series. (The Duchess Hunt is obviously tied, but it remains on its pedestal in another trilogy.) It was a softer romance than I was expecting, but that was exactly what I wanted.
I was a bit scared about the “torn between duty and desire� portion of the summary—I think I’m just very selfish and am always surprised (and annoyed) that duty is even an option. However! I liked it here, full stop. I only wish someone would’ve really let her mother have it, but I thought she got what she deserved by the end.
I’m truly at a loss for how to write this next part of the review without spoiling the book, because the spoilers could also be a huge selling point?? So I think I’ll hold off until after pub day, as I had such a fun time being like “IS this what I think it is????� for about ninety percent of the book. It may not be a *huge* thing for others, but for me it was my Roman Empire.
In the meantime, I’ll leave you with some of my favorite things about the book:
✨I LOVE me a hero who has repressed his *urges* for so long because his father was a rutting bastard. When he’s a real “the line ends with me!� type of guy. There’s just something so satisfying about watching them slowly come undone around the heroine. Especially when his friends and family tease him about it and he’s like “ME???? MOI??? In LUST? Couldn’t be.� And they all just laugh right in his face and he pouts about it like a little kid.
✨We also got the classic “oh so you’re NOT a prostitute???� trope—one of the best and most delicious if I do say so myself. See: Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas and Seducing a Stranger by Kerrigan Byrne for further scientific research.
✨A signature Lorraine Heath “Her delicate toes, oh Christ!� foot worship moment was found in the middle of a ballroom!!! And I was found slayed. My kingdom for a thinly-veiled, sexually-charged foot massage with intense eye contact that made innocent bystanders very uncomfortable.
✨Stripped of everything, the book is really about two incredibly lonely people finding love, one stolen kiss at a time. I just love a lonely character because the moment they realize they’re not alone anymore is clinically proven to be good for my health.
✨And of course—[redacted]—because Lorraine wrote this for me. The end was perfectly dramatic, that’s all I’ll say.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️🌶�/5
Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
In Want of a Viscount was a classicly charming, effortlessly well-written Lorraine Heath novel, and my favorite in the Chessmen Series. (The Duchess Hunt is obviously tied, but it remains on its pedestal in another trilogy.) It was a softer romance than I was expecting, but that was exactly what I wanted.
I was a bit scared about the “torn between duty and desire� portion of the summary—I think I’m just very selfish and am always surprised (and annoyed) that duty is even an option. However! I liked it here, full stop. I only wish someone would’ve really let her mother have it, but I thought she got what she deserved by the end.
I’m truly at a loss for how to write this next part of the review without spoiling the book, because the spoilers could also be a huge selling point?? So I think I’ll hold off until after pub day, as I had such a fun time being like “IS this what I think it is????� for about ninety percent of the book. It may not be a *huge* thing for others, but for me it was my Roman Empire.
In the meantime, I’ll leave you with some of my favorite things about the book:
✨I LOVE me a hero who has repressed his *urges* for so long because his father was a rutting bastard. When he’s a real “the line ends with me!� type of guy. There’s just something so satisfying about watching them slowly come undone around the heroine. Especially when his friends and family tease him about it and he’s like “ME???? MOI??? In LUST? Couldn’t be.� And they all just laugh right in his face and he pouts about it like a little kid.
✨We also got the classic “oh so you’re NOT a prostitute???� trope—one of the best and most delicious if I do say so myself. See: Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas and Seducing a Stranger by Kerrigan Byrne for further scientific research.
✨A signature Lorraine Heath “Her delicate toes, oh Christ!� foot worship moment was found in the middle of a ballroom!!! And I was found slayed. My kingdom for a thinly-veiled, sexually-charged foot massage with intense eye contact that made innocent bystanders very uncomfortable.
✨Stripped of everything, the book is really about two incredibly lonely people finding love, one stolen kiss at a time. I just love a lonely character because the moment they realize they’re not alone anymore is clinically proven to be good for my health.
✨And of course—[redacted]—because Lorraine wrote this for me. The end was perfectly dramatic, that’s all I’ll say.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️🌶�/5
Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
January 20, 2024
In Want of a Viscount is the 3rd book in the Chessmen series by my historical romance queen, Lorraine Heath. This book was so beautiful and definitely has its quieter, lovely moments but I loved it to pieces. These characters, seeing familiar characters from past series, the epilogue, don’t even get me started, I’m still teary-eyed.
John, Viscount Wyeth, of more commonly known
as Rook finally gets his story! Rook’s father was/is an awful Earl, he had multiple mistresses plus his wife and cheated on them all constantly. He also got rid of countless of his by-blows and if you’ve read the Sins for All Seasons series then you will know how truly awful this man was. So Rook grew up loathing the idea of ever being compared to his father and went the opposite direction of his father in life—never engaging in any shenanigans and treating women with respect, and most importantly from a distance.
The story kicks off with Rook making a trip to Elysium, his brother’s private club for making ladies� fantasies come to life. He’s there to visit his brother but gets roped in to helping out when he’s asked to do a favor and go kiss an American woman who is in the kissing room waiting. Leonora Garrison is 27, in London to find investors for her family business, and has never been kissed. After a few too many drinks of absinthe she finds herself sharing a kiss with Rook at Elysium!
I just loved Rook and Leonora. She’s an inventor and a tinkerer who loves to build things and see how things work. She’s in London with her brother and overbearing mother to try and get investors for her father’s late business and her typewriting machine she’s created. She’s often been thought of as odd and I loved seeing Rook love her for her and even taking her to places he knew she’d love (seeing the inner workings of the clock tower, etc). Rook’s backstory is so complex and seeing his relationship with his mother, his feelings towards his father, and his feelings for his siblings/his father’s by-blows was just everything. Rook is just so good and I love him. I love that he and Leonora found one another and they’re honestly perfect together.
While this book does have quieter, slower moments with the story and plot, I feel like it was needed for this story. Of course, a Lorraine Heath read isn’t complete without seeing some of our favorite places and faces from her ever-expanding Heath-verse: Twin Dragons, The Fair and Spare, Elysium, King, Knight, Bishop, Aiden Trewlove, and then just pretty much all characters from both the Sins for All Seasons and Once Upon a Dukedom series!
I received an ARC from the publisher, all thoughts in this review are my own! In Want of a Viscount is out February 20, 2024.
John, Viscount Wyeth, of more commonly known
as Rook finally gets his story! Rook’s father was/is an awful Earl, he had multiple mistresses plus his wife and cheated on them all constantly. He also got rid of countless of his by-blows and if you’ve read the Sins for All Seasons series then you will know how truly awful this man was. So Rook grew up loathing the idea of ever being compared to his father and went the opposite direction of his father in life—never engaging in any shenanigans and treating women with respect, and most importantly from a distance.
The story kicks off with Rook making a trip to Elysium, his brother’s private club for making ladies� fantasies come to life. He’s there to visit his brother but gets roped in to helping out when he’s asked to do a favor and go kiss an American woman who is in the kissing room waiting. Leonora Garrison is 27, in London to find investors for her family business, and has never been kissed. After a few too many drinks of absinthe she finds herself sharing a kiss with Rook at Elysium!
I just loved Rook and Leonora. She’s an inventor and a tinkerer who loves to build things and see how things work. She’s in London with her brother and overbearing mother to try and get investors for her father’s late business and her typewriting machine she’s created. She’s often been thought of as odd and I loved seeing Rook love her for her and even taking her to places he knew she’d love (seeing the inner workings of the clock tower, etc). Rook’s backstory is so complex and seeing his relationship with his mother, his feelings towards his father, and his feelings for his siblings/his father’s by-blows was just everything. Rook is just so good and I love him. I love that he and Leonora found one another and they’re honestly perfect together.
While this book does have quieter, slower moments with the story and plot, I feel like it was needed for this story. Of course, a Lorraine Heath read isn’t complete without seeing some of our favorite places and faces from her ever-expanding Heath-verse: Twin Dragons, The Fair and Spare, Elysium, King, Knight, Bishop, Aiden Trewlove, and then just pretty much all characters from both the Sins for All Seasons and Once Upon a Dukedom series!
I received an ARC from the publisher, all thoughts in this review are my own! In Want of a Viscount is out February 20, 2024.
April 17, 2024
2.5⭐️ The hardest review to write is for a book that disappointed me. I was eager to read Lorraine Heath’s latest. Almost every story of hers I had rated four or five stars. This one though, went wildly off target. It featured my least favorite tropes bound by dull storytelling. If it were any other author I would have DNF’d by 25%. But this was Heath! HEATH! Not to finish would be the equivalent of passing on a five-course meal at a three star Michelin restaurant.
There were a few sparks of sentiment that raised my hopes but flickered out quickly. By the end, my suspension of disbelief was whatevs. The story was aimed at a different reader.
There were a few sparks of sentiment that raised my hopes but flickered out quickly. By the end, my suspension of disbelief was whatevs. The story was aimed at a different reader.
March 2, 2024
4.5 stars. This historical romance was the third book in this series and was really well done! I enjoyed this premise and loved seeing Leonora and Rook’s romance blossom. I found the ideas different I. This book then most historical romances. It did have a few parts that were slower in pace which reflected in my rating. Overall this series and one before this are really well written.
January 29, 2024
With an odious libertine for a father, Johnny Castleton, Viscount Wyeth (more commonly known as Rook), vowed to live his life above reproach. While visiting his brother's exclusive ladies� club, Rook meets a mysterious stranger, in want of a kiss. American Leonora Garrison is in England searching for investors to keep her family business afloat, but instead she finds temptation in Rook's arms.
This is the third and final book in the Chessmen series, but most of Lorraine Heath's books exist in the same universe and this book has ties to the Once Upon a Dukedom and Sin For All Seasons series. Rook's brother Aiden Trewlove (from The Duchess in His Bed) features into this story and their history features into the plot.
Rook is the only legitimate son of the Earl of Elverton, a womanizing creep who didn't care for anything but his own pleasure. The earl sired countless children and Rook, instead, decided to live free from that disgrace and create a sterling reputation. When Rook is asked to kiss a stranger at the Elysium Club, it turns his world upside down. Leonora "Nora" Garrison is the brains (and soul) behind her family's business. While she is busy trying to recruit investors, her pushy mother means to marry her off to a lord and gain entry into New York society.
I loved this story and really appreciated how Rook and Nora were fleshed out. As a daughter, she did not inherit the business at her father's passing, but she is the one with the drive and creative energy. She is fighting for a future that is more than just marriage. Rook has a lot family trauma, but he is a good person who seeks to make things right and help others. This was my favorite of the series.
Tropes: Bluestocking, Spinster, Working Heroine, Mistaken Identity, Hero Falls First, Virgin Hero
Steam: 4
This is the third and final book in the Chessmen series, but most of Lorraine Heath's books exist in the same universe and this book has ties to the Once Upon a Dukedom and Sin For All Seasons series. Rook's brother Aiden Trewlove (from The Duchess in His Bed) features into this story and their history features into the plot.
Rook is the only legitimate son of the Earl of Elverton, a womanizing creep who didn't care for anything but his own pleasure. The earl sired countless children and Rook, instead, decided to live free from that disgrace and create a sterling reputation. When Rook is asked to kiss a stranger at the Elysium Club, it turns his world upside down. Leonora "Nora" Garrison is the brains (and soul) behind her family's business. While she is busy trying to recruit investors, her pushy mother means to marry her off to a lord and gain entry into New York society.
I loved this story and really appreciated how Rook and Nora were fleshed out. As a daughter, she did not inherit the business at her father's passing, but she is the one with the drive and creative energy. She is fighting for a future that is more than just marriage. Rook has a lot family trauma, but he is a good person who seeks to make things right and help others. This was my favorite of the series.
Tropes: Bluestocking, Spinster, Working Heroine, Mistaken Identity, Hero Falls First, Virgin Hero
Steam: 4
February 26, 2024
Rook has deliberately done everything in his power not to be like his manslut father who fathered untold numbers of children and then gave them to a baby farmer (this plot point is connected to the Sins for all Seasons series but it's not necessary to read those first). Until he meets a lady in his brother's club who wishes to be kissed. They kiss and he's fascinated by his Lady of Sighs (don't get me started on that atrocious nickname). The lady is Leonora, an American inventor who is looking for investors for her writing machine. Her mother however is looking for a titled husband for her. So Rook is determined to stay single and not dip his wick anywhere due to his father's reputation and Leonora just wants to invent things and not get married. This is basically the entire plot.
I adore Lorraine Heath. I have several of her books on my keeper shelf. But I've been very lukewarm about this series. This book in particular was fine. The writing was fine, the plot was fine, and the characters were fine. But there was very little internal or external conflict. Why couldn't these two be together? The reasoning was flimsy so the romantic tension was nil. It had some very sweet scenes and the spice was spicy for Heath. What it was missing was the Heath Angst and bonkers plot twists. What made her books so rare and special was the absolute unhingedness of some of the plots. This is the author that wrote Gorilla Twins book ffs (The Earl Takes All) Would that book have been published today? Doubtful. Unfortunately, Heath has also been cleansed and sanitized for today's audience and it's a damn shame. I recommend this book for those who love quiet character-driven romances with little to no tension. As for me, I want mess, I want my heart twisting, and I want to question how they will possibly end up together. Heath was so very good at this and I wish she would go back *sadness*
I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
*note the Tropes might be spoilers *
🌟🌟🌟/5
🔥🔥/5
Tropes:
Virgin hero
Forced marriage
Stem fmc
I adore Lorraine Heath. I have several of her books on my keeper shelf. But I've been very lukewarm about this series. This book in particular was fine. The writing was fine, the plot was fine, and the characters were fine. But there was very little internal or external conflict. Why couldn't these two be together? The reasoning was flimsy so the romantic tension was nil. It had some very sweet scenes and the spice was spicy for Heath. What it was missing was the Heath Angst and bonkers plot twists. What made her books so rare and special was the absolute unhingedness of some of the plots. This is the author that wrote Gorilla Twins book ffs (The Earl Takes All) Would that book have been published today? Doubtful. Unfortunately, Heath has also been cleansed and sanitized for today's audience and it's a damn shame. I recommend this book for those who love quiet character-driven romances with little to no tension. As for me, I want mess, I want my heart twisting, and I want to question how they will possibly end up together. Heath was so very good at this and I wish she would go back *sadness*
I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
*note the Tropes might be spoilers *
🌟🌟🌟/5
🔥🔥/5
Tropes:
Virgin hero
Forced marriage
Stem fmc
March 9, 2024
This is a fun, tropey book that combines the following:
1. American industrialist/inventor FMC whose father left the family company to her brother, not to her; also she does NOT want to get married, since this would prevent her from running the company
2. Starchy nobleman MMC who is so starchy and above reproach because his father was the worst womanizer OF ALL TIME
3. A club for ladies where they can go to request things like "a kiss!"
4. A title-hunting matchmaking mama
The best part of the book is Rook's (the MMC) combination of starchy hero with personal high standards but nonjudgmental perspective on the rest of the world. He loves that Leonora knows what she wants and asks for it, and never judges her for looking for a kiss or for her "unfeminine" desires (that include things like being an inventor, not just kissing unknown gents in ladies' clubs).
It's not groundbreaking or even all that original, but it's fun and sexy!
Also, spoiler (it's not revealed until the FINAL CHAPTER): Be still my heart.
21-Word Summaries:�
�
Meg: All Nora wanted was a kiss. Too bad the guy she’s asking to invest in her project is yesterday’s “anonymous� kisser…
�
Laine: Nora's going to London for investors; her family is going to marry her off. If only peers with money weren't hot...�
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
1. American industrialist/inventor FMC whose father left the family company to her brother, not to her; also she does NOT want to get married, since this would prevent her from running the company
2. Starchy nobleman MMC who is so starchy and above reproach because his father was the worst womanizer OF ALL TIME
3. A club for ladies where they can go to request things like "a kiss!"
4. A title-hunting matchmaking mama
The best part of the book is Rook's (the MMC) combination of starchy hero with personal high standards but nonjudgmental perspective on the rest of the world. He loves that Leonora knows what she wants and asks for it, and never judges her for looking for a kiss or for her "unfeminine" desires (that include things like being an inventor, not just kissing unknown gents in ladies' clubs).
It's not groundbreaking or even all that original, but it's fun and sexy!
Also, spoiler (it's not revealed until the FINAL CHAPTER): Be still my heart.
21-Word Summaries:�
�
Meg: All Nora wanted was a kiss. Too bad the guy she’s asking to invest in her project is yesterday’s “anonymous� kisser…
�
Laine: Nora's going to London for investors; her family is going to marry her off. If only peers with money weren't hot...�
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
December 27, 2023
This was a lovely addition to the Chessmen series, and a lovely ending to the story. I received an ARC for each of the books in this series, which was such an honor because Lorraine Heath is an incredible writer. I was absolutely titillated by the Chessmen after reading The Duchess Hunt.
Leonora is too smart for her own good--for the era--and needs to find investors in her family business without revealing she's the brains of the operation while her mother attempts to marry her off. Rook wants to remain above reproach with a sterling reputation because his father was a seriously bad guy--many such cases in HR.
Leonora is too smart for her own good--for the era--and needs to find investors in her family business without revealing she's the brains of the operation while her mother attempts to marry her off. Rook wants to remain above reproach with a sterling reputation because his father was a seriously bad guy--many such cases in HR.
March 26, 2024
Book 3 in The Chessmen: Masters of Seduction series. My FAVORITE book in the series! Be still my heart.. that first chapter.. funny, sweet and just so adorable. 🥰 Rook is a shoo-in for best book boyfriend of all the Chessmen!🏆
Americans Leonora and her brother are in London to seek investors for her new invention.. not a marriage proposal.. which is her selfish mother’s only goal.
John Castleton .. Rook.. the Viscount of Wyeth, is a good guy who lives his life on the straight and narrow (unlike his unscrupulous father). No rake or scoundrel where Rook is concerned.
Rook first meets American Leonora during her visit to the risqué private women’s club, Elysium. She’s there to request a kiss, her first.. in the private kissing chamber. Rook is there visiting his brother/club owner Aiden who asks Rook to step-in for his lack of gents that night. Rook obliges seeing no harm in one kiss with a stranger from America. As for Leonora, liquid courage was involved to ask, and she falls asleep 💤 during their kiss. But Rook thinks his kiss bored her to sleep.. which is hilarious.. as later, stolen kisses prove to be their favorite pastime! 👩🏼❤️💋👨�
I love anything Lorraine Heath writes. Her female characters all carry a strong presence so it’s not surprising Leonora’s a STEM heroine who designs a writing machine. And I love that Rook shows interest/positivity toward that main aspect of her life, an inventor, when no other man had. Their romance is fun and believable with a well-crafted plot I have never read in an HEA.. two lonely people, a sense of duty.. no spoilers here. Perfect!!! � 5 stars � Pub. 2/20/24
Americans Leonora and her brother are in London to seek investors for her new invention.. not a marriage proposal.. which is her selfish mother’s only goal.
John Castleton .. Rook.. the Viscount of Wyeth, is a good guy who lives his life on the straight and narrow (unlike his unscrupulous father). No rake or scoundrel where Rook is concerned.
Rook first meets American Leonora during her visit to the risqué private women’s club, Elysium. She’s there to request a kiss, her first.. in the private kissing chamber. Rook is there visiting his brother/club owner Aiden who asks Rook to step-in for his lack of gents that night. Rook obliges seeing no harm in one kiss with a stranger from America. As for Leonora, liquid courage was involved to ask, and she falls asleep 💤 during their kiss. But Rook thinks his kiss bored her to sleep.. which is hilarious.. as later, stolen kisses prove to be their favorite pastime! 👩🏼❤️💋👨�
I love anything Lorraine Heath writes. Her female characters all carry a strong presence so it’s not surprising Leonora’s a STEM heroine who designs a writing machine. And I love that Rook shows interest/positivity toward that main aspect of her life, an inventor, when no other man had. Their romance is fun and believable with a well-crafted plot I have never read in an HEA.. two lonely people, a sense of duty.. no spoilers here. Perfect!!! � 5 stars � Pub. 2/20/24
February 6, 2024
I voluntarily read and reviewed an eARC of this book via NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager, Avon. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Publishing: February 20, 2024
Series: The Chessmen: Masters of Seduction #3
Pages: 384
This was one truly enjoyable book by author, Lorraine Heath. Although I have not read the first two in this series, however this was one of two books that I have ever read where the hero in the story was a virgin…so to call the Chessmen “Masters of Seduction� is a bit odd because he was pursued but was seduced by the heroine in my opinion.
Miss Lenora “Nora� Garrison, a bluestocking American comes to England with her family in search of investors in her writing machine in order to continue her father’s business and keep her family flowing with income. She does not want to marry, however ventures out to an exclusive ladies� club in search of a kiss. Viscount “Rook� Wyeth desires to live a life free of scandal and being labeled a “rogue�. He lets his father hold the title and the consequences of his actions and vows never to become him…in other words be the most upstanding gentleman of the ton. When one of his many half siblings asks a favor, he obliges by giving Nora the kiss that desires. Unfortunately, with that one kiss he finds himself smitten by the beautiful woman and eventually discovers that she is one of the Americans seeking the Chessmen as investors.
All the characters in the story were likeable characters except for the Lenora’s mother who was just rude and selfish individual who only cared about how she could elevate herself in society at the expense of her daughter. I admired Lenora’s determination to continue her father’s business although not being abled to inherit it as the daughter. She is a bluestocking through and through because she wants to fight for her own ambitions more than just marrying and undertaking all that goes along with the title. I also loved Rook’s admirable attempts to not become like his father but gets caught in a scandalous act by the despicable social climbing mother.
Although the story contains tropes of a bluestocking heroine, secret identity, and spinster. I was surprised by the trope of a virgin hero…yes the hero was a virgin and well kept until his scandalous act with the heroine. This is a well-written story by Ms. Heath. The plot and transition of the story was very good, and I enjoyed the development of both characters throughout the story. The characters endure issues of loyalty, trust, pain, and ability to love. This is one of my favorite reads thus far in this year of 2024 and highly recommend this book for those who love a good historical romance to comfy up to reading. Will have to read the first two in this series.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Publishing: February 20, 2024
Series: The Chessmen: Masters of Seduction #3
Pages: 384
This was one truly enjoyable book by author, Lorraine Heath. Although I have not read the first two in this series, however this was one of two books that I have ever read where the hero in the story was a virgin…so to call the Chessmen “Masters of Seduction� is a bit odd because he was pursued but was seduced by the heroine in my opinion.
Miss Lenora “Nora� Garrison, a bluestocking American comes to England with her family in search of investors in her writing machine in order to continue her father’s business and keep her family flowing with income. She does not want to marry, however ventures out to an exclusive ladies� club in search of a kiss. Viscount “Rook� Wyeth desires to live a life free of scandal and being labeled a “rogue�. He lets his father hold the title and the consequences of his actions and vows never to become him…in other words be the most upstanding gentleman of the ton. When one of his many half siblings asks a favor, he obliges by giving Nora the kiss that desires. Unfortunately, with that one kiss he finds himself smitten by the beautiful woman and eventually discovers that she is one of the Americans seeking the Chessmen as investors.
All the characters in the story were likeable characters except for the Lenora’s mother who was just rude and selfish individual who only cared about how she could elevate herself in society at the expense of her daughter. I admired Lenora’s determination to continue her father’s business although not being abled to inherit it as the daughter. She is a bluestocking through and through because she wants to fight for her own ambitions more than just marrying and undertaking all that goes along with the title. I also loved Rook’s admirable attempts to not become like his father but gets caught in a scandalous act by the despicable social climbing mother.
Although the story contains tropes of a bluestocking heroine, secret identity, and spinster. I was surprised by the trope of a virgin hero…yes the hero was a virgin and well kept until his scandalous act with the heroine. This is a well-written story by Ms. Heath. The plot and transition of the story was very good, and I enjoyed the development of both characters throughout the story. The characters endure issues of loyalty, trust, pain, and ability to love. This is one of my favorite reads thus far in this year of 2024 and highly recommend this book for those who love a good historical romance to comfy up to reading. Will have to read the first two in this series.
March 13, 2024
A nice stand-alone story about two people who are attracted to and fascinated with one another. No villains or evil plots or mysteries to solve, just an awful mother (the heroine's mother). I enjoyed seeing Aidan Trewlove from from Lorraine Heath's previous series with the Trewlove siblings. Finn also makes a few appearances.
April 4, 2024
Haven’t read a good book by Lorraine heath in a while, seems her writing has changed for the worse unfortunately. I used to love her books, scandalous gentlemen, and scoundrels of st James, but her recent series has been a disappointment. The plot just seems boring and couldn’t catch my attention, romance was uninteresting, and lacked the banter and chemistry I was looking for.
Heroine’s mother annoyed me, and hero was boring. Heroine was alright, nothing fantastic.
Heroine’s mother annoyed me, and hero was boring. Heroine was alright, nothing fantastic.
November 4, 2024
I'm a little disappointed with past Stacee for taking so long to read this one.
I loved Nora and Johnny. They're both so smart and considered odd and I really enjoyed these two finding their way. Nora's family deserved to be kicked repeatedly and I'm a bit disappointed that she never stood up to them.
Plot wise, it was good. They're together most of the time and have several open conversations, which is always a favorite of mine. And let's not forget getting to see several of the Trewloves again.
Overall, I have really enjoyed this series and I can't wait to read what's next.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I loved Nora and Johnny. They're both so smart and considered odd and I really enjoyed these two finding their way. Nora's family deserved to be kicked repeatedly and I'm a bit disappointed that she never stood up to them.
Plot wise, it was good. They're together most of the time and have several open conversations, which is always a favorite of mine. And let's not forget getting to see several of the Trewloves again.
Overall, I have really enjoyed this series and I can't wait to read what's next.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
November 26, 2023
This was not one of my favorites from Lorraine Heath, although it was a very solid historical romance.
A big plus? You get a full cast of characters from her recent series, including the Trewloves from the Sins for All Seasons series, since Aidan Trewlove is brother to Viscount Wyeth--Rook, in the Chessman series. Aidan, who owns ladies' club Elysium, ropes Rook into kissing an American who is visiting Elysium and--after a bit too much absinthe--has decided to procure her first kiss. Rook reluctantly agrees, only to encounter the utterly compelling Leonora Garrison. Leonora is the brains behind an invention she and her brother have come to London to shop to investors--investors like the Chessmen. Of course, when Rook gives Leonora her passionate first kisses, she little imagines that she will encounter him over and over as a possible investor in her brother's factory. And Rook, who has spent much of his life trying to avoid living down to his libertine father's awful reputation, finds that for the first time, he is unable to resist temptation.
Lorraine Heath always writes her characters well, yet I felt a bit underwhelmed by this one. Perhaps it was because the plot was a bit repetitive and predictable? Usually, I find myself underwhelmed when authors skimp on the characterization in favor of a rollicking plot, but here, a bit more action would have been welcome.
That said, an average Lorraine Health novel is better than 75% of the historical romances you could pick up. I enjoyed both characters, and Leonora is unique in that she's a natural engineer--a bit of female STEM representation to enhance this Victorian novel. Not unusual in this series, though, is that she is celebrated by her love interest for her intellect. King, Bishop, and Knight all did the same with their future wives, which of course makes us love them all the more.
I'm guessing this is the end of the Chessmen series, so if you haven't met Rook's friends already already, I'd go back and read (so, so good) to start with King's story.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
A big plus? You get a full cast of characters from her recent series, including the Trewloves from the Sins for All Seasons series, since Aidan Trewlove is brother to Viscount Wyeth--Rook, in the Chessman series. Aidan, who owns ladies' club Elysium, ropes Rook into kissing an American who is visiting Elysium and--after a bit too much absinthe--has decided to procure her first kiss. Rook reluctantly agrees, only to encounter the utterly compelling Leonora Garrison. Leonora is the brains behind an invention she and her brother have come to London to shop to investors--investors like the Chessmen. Of course, when Rook gives Leonora her passionate first kisses, she little imagines that she will encounter him over and over as a possible investor in her brother's factory. And Rook, who has spent much of his life trying to avoid living down to his libertine father's awful reputation, finds that for the first time, he is unable to resist temptation.
Lorraine Heath always writes her characters well, yet I felt a bit underwhelmed by this one. Perhaps it was because the plot was a bit repetitive and predictable? Usually, I find myself underwhelmed when authors skimp on the characterization in favor of a rollicking plot, but here, a bit more action would have been welcome.
That said, an average Lorraine Health novel is better than 75% of the historical romances you could pick up. I enjoyed both characters, and Leonora is unique in that she's a natural engineer--a bit of female STEM representation to enhance this Victorian novel. Not unusual in this series, though, is that she is celebrated by her love interest for her intellect. King, Bishop, and Knight all did the same with their future wives, which of course makes us love them all the more.
I'm guessing this is the end of the Chessmen series, so if you haven't met Rook's friends already already, I'd go back and read (so, so good) to start with King's story.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
February 14, 2024
In Want of a Viscount continues the chessman series theme of no one has daddy issues like heroes in a historical romance. However, the backdrop of the Gilded Age and an American heroine looking for investors for her company gives the trope a fun new twist.
I really loved Leonora as a heroine. She was so smart and industrious while also being compassionate and caring. Rook was also incredibly compassionate and carried a lot of guilt for things that weren't his fault. I loved that they each appreciated the other's good qualities so much and I loved seeing them through each other's eyes.
This is one where I would recommend reading some of Lorraine Heath's earlier works first. Ideally, you would have read the Chessman series, the Once Upon a Dukedom series, and the Sins for All Seasons series but The Duchess in His Bed is the most important (Sins for All Seasons Book 4). You could read this one as a standalone but you will likely be confused by some parts.
🌶️🌶️🌶�- This story doesn't have a lot of fully detailed steamy scenes but the sexual tension and anticipation is well written and a large part of the story. From simply on-page scenes this would be two peppers but given that sexual experimentation is a big part of their early relationship, it becomes a larger part of the plot.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon for providing me with an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
I really loved Leonora as a heroine. She was so smart and industrious while also being compassionate and caring. Rook was also incredibly compassionate and carried a lot of guilt for things that weren't his fault. I loved that they each appreciated the other's good qualities so much and I loved seeing them through each other's eyes.
This is one where I would recommend reading some of Lorraine Heath's earlier works first. Ideally, you would have read the Chessman series, the Once Upon a Dukedom series, and the Sins for All Seasons series but The Duchess in His Bed is the most important (Sins for All Seasons Book 4). You could read this one as a standalone but you will likely be confused by some parts.
🌶️🌶️🌶�- This story doesn't have a lot of fully detailed steamy scenes but the sexual tension and anticipation is well written and a large part of the story. From simply on-page scenes this would be two peppers but given that sexual experimentation is a big part of their early relationship, it becomes a larger part of the plot.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon for providing me with an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
May 2, 2024
3.75 stars
March 24, 2024
I did like this, but I think my tolerance for parents in the vein of Mrs. Garrison has decreased to less than zero and that did have an effect on my feelings overall (even if I did find her fate in the epilogue to be extremely fitting). Obviously Rook's father was also an even worse person, but since he was basically off page the entire book, it somehow mattered less. His medical condition also rendered him not an active threat, I guess. And one of the best parts of this for me was Rook trying to right the wrongs of his father by supporting his half siblings.
I like that Heath's books are so interconnected, but sometimes I do think I miss details if I haven't read all of the books with characters featured in the one I'm reading. I haven't done any of the Sins for All Seasons series, and I don't think I really missed out on much here but I do think I should go back and read them at some point. Hoping for some of the characters mentioned here to come up in future books. Maybe especially the inspector we met at the end.
I like that Heath's books are so interconnected, but sometimes I do think I miss details if I haven't read all of the books with characters featured in the one I'm reading. I haven't done any of the Sins for All Seasons series, and I don't think I really missed out on much here but I do think I should go back and read them at some point. Hoping for some of the characters mentioned here to come up in future books. Maybe especially the inspector we met at the end.
March 3, 2024
I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Chessman series was my first introduction to Lorraine Heath and I'm eternally grateful. After reading The Counterfeit Scoundrel last year, I've already completed 25 books from her catalog. Her writing is so addictive and her characters are incredibly well written. Her books are inviting and I get lost in them so easily. In Want of a Viscount is a spinoff of the Once Upon a Dukedom featuring the Chessman. Each rugged member is named after a chess piece and they all treat life like one big chessboard. I personally don't know anything about the game, but Lorraine Heath heroes always pique my interest.
Leonora and Rook had a darling courtship, but my attention was fully magnetized to the Trewlove cameos. Our main couple were well suited with their intelligence and deep hearted kindness, but I couldn't help waiting for that dreamy family to appear again. One of my favorite aspects of Lorraine Heath's books is that they're all so wonderfully interwoven. Characters from different series intermarry or are born on the wrong side of the blanket. It's fun to watch them pop up in the background of various romances. Leonora found Rook through anonymous kisses at a gentlemen's club owned by the Trewloves, but it could have easily belonged to the Stanwicks or the Dodgers. The Lorraine Heath universe is one I would gladly dive into as long as it featured my necessary modern conveniences not found in the Victorian age.
In Want of a Viscount was lovely but I will always have a special place in my heart for the Trewloves, even when they're not center stage. Leonora and Rook's romance was a perfect end to the Chessman series. I'm pleased there wasn't a member named Pawn because that would just be humiliating. I can't thank NetGalley enough for introducing me to Lorraine Heath's work and I have found a lifelong favorite author. I'm so excited to see what other series she has planned for the future. You know I'm anxiously waiting for the release because when it comes to this author, I'm always In Want of a Viscount.
The Chessman series was my first introduction to Lorraine Heath and I'm eternally grateful. After reading The Counterfeit Scoundrel last year, I've already completed 25 books from her catalog. Her writing is so addictive and her characters are incredibly well written. Her books are inviting and I get lost in them so easily. In Want of a Viscount is a spinoff of the Once Upon a Dukedom featuring the Chessman. Each rugged member is named after a chess piece and they all treat life like one big chessboard. I personally don't know anything about the game, but Lorraine Heath heroes always pique my interest.
Leonora and Rook had a darling courtship, but my attention was fully magnetized to the Trewlove cameos. Our main couple were well suited with their intelligence and deep hearted kindness, but I couldn't help waiting for that dreamy family to appear again. One of my favorite aspects of Lorraine Heath's books is that they're all so wonderfully interwoven. Characters from different series intermarry or are born on the wrong side of the blanket. It's fun to watch them pop up in the background of various romances. Leonora found Rook through anonymous kisses at a gentlemen's club owned by the Trewloves, but it could have easily belonged to the Stanwicks or the Dodgers. The Lorraine Heath universe is one I would gladly dive into as long as it featured my necessary modern conveniences not found in the Victorian age.
In Want of a Viscount was lovely but I will always have a special place in my heart for the Trewloves, even when they're not center stage. Leonora and Rook's romance was a perfect end to the Chessman series. I'm pleased there wasn't a member named Pawn because that would just be humiliating. I can't thank NetGalley enough for introducing me to Lorraine Heath's work and I have found a lifelong favorite author. I'm so excited to see what other series she has planned for the future. You know I'm anxiously waiting for the release because when it comes to this author, I'm always In Want of a Viscount.
Want to read
June 3, 2023His name is Rook >>>>>>>>
August 11, 2024
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Lorraine Heath has written some of my favorite historical romances. She is literally prolific, and her talent at weaving together a wonderful story full of romance and intrigue is unmatched in my opinion. As much as it pains me to say this, I did not like this at all. It just lost me, and it could be that I haven't read any of the others in the series, so I wasn't attached to any of the characters. The heroine to me was just dull, I am sort of wore out on inventor heroines who are resourceful and intelligent. Bluestockings. Normally, I don't mind them, but lately it's just not my thing. I think me not liking this is just because of the type of books I had been reading at the time, and it was so similar that it didn't feel new or fresh, and left me feeling less than excited. Maybe if I read it again, then I would feel differently.
I'm in the minority on this so don't take my word for it.
2.5 rounded to 3 stars
Lorraine Heath has written some of my favorite historical romances. She is literally prolific, and her talent at weaving together a wonderful story full of romance and intrigue is unmatched in my opinion. As much as it pains me to say this, I did not like this at all. It just lost me, and it could be that I haven't read any of the others in the series, so I wasn't attached to any of the characters. The heroine to me was just dull, I am sort of wore out on inventor heroines who are resourceful and intelligent. Bluestockings. Normally, I don't mind them, but lately it's just not my thing. I think me not liking this is just because of the type of books I had been reading at the time, and it was so similar that it didn't feel new or fresh, and left me feeling less than excited. Maybe if I read it again, then I would feel differently.
I'm in the minority on this so don't take my word for it.
2.5 rounded to 3 stars
February 19, 2024
This is my least fav in this trilogy. It was a bit repetitive for me and a slow burn. Just seemed a bit different than the other 2 in the series as well. Lenora is an American came to England to search for investors for her invention of a writing machine and help her family business. She meets Rook at a club who is also a Viscount but they ended up eventually kissing each other. Just this had little drama throughout to keep me engaged. You meet some of Lorraine’s other characters as well.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
February 22, 2024
Reading Lorraine Heath is like coming home. You just settle in because it’s comfortable, cozy, and exactly what you need.
In Want of a Viscount is the final Chessmen book 😢 and I’m so sad to see them end. I have loved this series and Rook completely surprised me with how much I loved him, having very little spotlight time in the other books. He’s more complicated than his starchy impeccable reputation lets on, and he is so so good at seeing Leonora. Leonora is perfectly imperfect with her misunderstood inquisitiveness, her fascinating mind, and her heart that she’s had to guard for far too long. I loved the meet cute between MCs who are both exactly what the other needs without being anything like what the other expects. She throws him for a loop with his almost obsession for her and he teaches her how to be okay with being herself. It felt like every time Rook and Nora were together on page that the tension they had from societal expectations and family obedience just dissipated as they seemed so at ease with one another. I loved watching them fall for each other, loved seeing Rook spoil Leonora with inquisitive delights, and loved seeing how Leonora could unravel Rook with her frankness.
But did I mention kissing? Unfortunately kissing is frequently overlooked but in In Want of a Viscount, kissing is THE WHOLE PURPOSE. I loved how much kissing they did, how much exploring, discovering, and types of kissing occurred in this book. The kissing will make you swoon, and that’s even before you get to the steamy parts which are 🔥🔥🔥.
That being said, I would HIGHLY recommend In Want of a Viscount. A big thank you to Avon for my early copy. Yet another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read by Lorraine Heath.
In Want of a Viscount is the final Chessmen book 😢 and I’m so sad to see them end. I have loved this series and Rook completely surprised me with how much I loved him, having very little spotlight time in the other books. He’s more complicated than his starchy impeccable reputation lets on, and he is so so good at seeing Leonora. Leonora is perfectly imperfect with her misunderstood inquisitiveness, her fascinating mind, and her heart that she’s had to guard for far too long. I loved the meet cute between MCs who are both exactly what the other needs without being anything like what the other expects. She throws him for a loop with his almost obsession for her and he teaches her how to be okay with being herself. It felt like every time Rook and Nora were together on page that the tension they had from societal expectations and family obedience just dissipated as they seemed so at ease with one another. I loved watching them fall for each other, loved seeing Rook spoil Leonora with inquisitive delights, and loved seeing how Leonora could unravel Rook with her frankness.
But did I mention kissing? Unfortunately kissing is frequently overlooked but in In Want of a Viscount, kissing is THE WHOLE PURPOSE. I loved how much kissing they did, how much exploring, discovering, and types of kissing occurred in this book. The kissing will make you swoon, and that’s even before you get to the steamy parts which are 🔥🔥🔥.
That being said, I would HIGHLY recommend In Want of a Viscount. A big thank you to Avon for my early copy. Yet another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read by Lorraine Heath.
February 14, 2025
The best in this series.
Like Sarah MacLean, Lorraine Heath has created a universe of characters that compel this reader to want to read it all!
That makes for a very ambitious Want To Read list
Like Sarah MacLean, Lorraine Heath has created a universe of characters that compel this reader to want to read it all!
That makes for a very ambitious Want To Read list
January 29, 2024
John Castleton, Viscount, better known as Rook, Was the only legitimate son to Earl of Elverton as that man was a mean womanizing bastard who didn't care for anything that was not his pleasure. Rookhope on the other hand was smart, strong, loyal, kind, and cared what happened to himself and others. He would not let his baser needs rule him.
His father has numerous illegitimate children that he is hoping to find once the Earl passes. While the Earl is currently alive, he has suffered an apoplectic fit that had left him unable to move or speak. The Countess has been taking care of him, while tormenting him with her exploits. Some maybe true while others are not.
While he does know his brothers that were placed with Ettie Trewlove, who loved them as if they were her own. Aiden runs two businesses, one a hotel another a club for women's pleasures. Here is where Took meets, as a favor for Aiden, a very different woman. She Is strong, independent, smart, shy, but innocent. She asks only for a kiss.
Leonora (Nora) Garrison, her brother Sam and mother are her to find investors. After their father fell ill and had trouble communicating. Leonora designed a machine that would type out his request. Since his passing that has been what has kept her going. Sam and their mother want a husband for her. Sam wants to follow his dream but doesn't want to disappoint Nora. Their mother wants status and to flaunt it.
Nora in an attempt to have A memory to be her own secret goes to a club for women only and asks for a kiss. She drinks three glasses of courage, absinthe or better known as the tree fairy. What she doesn't expect is what happens with the kiss.
So what is a Lord to do who is trying to live with the bounds of a strict code to undo the damage his father has done, when he is presented with a spitfire of a woman that wants no names?
What does a lady with an idea to support her family do when she crosses paths with a man that understands her?
Why they create a scandal, of course!
Join in as Rook unconventionally courts Nora only to realize he truly wants what she brings to his life. While Nora wants to feel how the otherwise of life with a man can be, since she knows she would not make a good wife but excellent businesswoman
His father has numerous illegitimate children that he is hoping to find once the Earl passes. While the Earl is currently alive, he has suffered an apoplectic fit that had left him unable to move or speak. The Countess has been taking care of him, while tormenting him with her exploits. Some maybe true while others are not.
While he does know his brothers that were placed with Ettie Trewlove, who loved them as if they were her own. Aiden runs two businesses, one a hotel another a club for women's pleasures. Here is where Took meets, as a favor for Aiden, a very different woman. She Is strong, independent, smart, shy, but innocent. She asks only for a kiss.
Leonora (Nora) Garrison, her brother Sam and mother are her to find investors. After their father fell ill and had trouble communicating. Leonora designed a machine that would type out his request. Since his passing that has been what has kept her going. Sam and their mother want a husband for her. Sam wants to follow his dream but doesn't want to disappoint Nora. Their mother wants status and to flaunt it.
Nora in an attempt to have A memory to be her own secret goes to a club for women only and asks for a kiss. She drinks three glasses of courage, absinthe or better known as the tree fairy. What she doesn't expect is what happens with the kiss.
So what is a Lord to do who is trying to live with the bounds of a strict code to undo the damage his father has done, when he is presented with a spitfire of a woman that wants no names?
What does a lady with an idea to support her family do when she crosses paths with a man that understands her?
Why they create a scandal, of course!
Join in as Rook unconventionally courts Nora only to realize he truly wants what she brings to his life. While Nora wants to feel how the otherwise of life with a man can be, since she knows she would not make a good wife but excellent businesswoman
March 11, 2024
This is sort of a DNF - one of those that I jumped around a lot in, which is really unusual for a Heath book for me. I think this book fell under the weight of all the other interconnected books - it's not crucial that you know who all the side characters are and what happened in their books, but I found it really distracting & it kept pulling me out of the book. This just felt like it was missing that extra something I usually expect from a Heath book.
December 26, 2023
I loved this book, and it is definitely the best of the series! I have been waiting for Rook's story, and it is a doozy! There are so many things to love, we get to see all the Trewloves!
Heath's other series that overlaps with this one. Plus, our heroine is a brilliant American who has come to England to find investors for her TYPEWRITER! There are so many reveals in this story, and I don't want to give any spoilers, but suffice to say, John more than makes up for his evil father and will make the Earldom respectable again.
This is also another clueless man who takes FOREVER to realize he is in love. This book makes me want to reread every book again!!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review and I highly urge you to read both series!
Heath's other series that overlaps with this one. Plus, our heroine is a brilliant American who has come to England to find investors for her TYPEWRITER! There are so many reveals in this story, and I don't want to give any spoilers, but suffice to say, John more than makes up for his evil father and will make the Earldom respectable again.
This is also another clueless man who takes FOREVER to realize he is in love. This book makes me want to reread every book again!!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review and I highly urge you to read both series!
March 3, 2024
I love historical romance because I love it when olden-time virgins fall in love. How’s that for an elevator pitch? Virgins wearing a lot of clothes fall in love. And there’s no electricity. And women have no rights…Yes please, sign me up.
Nora is an American in England with her dense brother and arsehole mother trying to find investors for their company- and maybe a hubs for Nora since she can’t find a man due to being smart and inventing things like a typewriter. Ew gross, who wants to marry a woman like that? Nora goes to a ladies club and requests a kiss from a stranger bc #desperate. Rook, a viscount, kisses her as a favor to his brother who owns da club. Nora refuses to marry bc she wants to be a bizness lady and Rook refuses to marry bc his dad was the Earl of Manwhores with approx 33200 bastard kids and he doesn’t wanna be like his daddy. Despite wanting to remain single and friendzoning each other, Rook and Nora spend most of the book making out and even have quite the rendezvous in a greenhouse. Like the old saying goes “those who bone in glass houses shouldn’t throw bones in glass houses”…but these horny hooligans do it anyway.
This was a fun and sexy historical romp. There was a bit too much exposition about typewriters and machines and now I know why nobody wanted to bang Nora…bc typewriters aren’t very sexy or interesting. Thankfully, I’m not here to bang Nora, but Rook is and he found typewriters to be a super turn on- qwerty and flirty!!!
Smut- 3 stars
Romance- 4.6 stars
Story- 4.1 stars
Me inventing the saying “qwerty and flirty™️�- 8.3 stars
Nora is an American in England with her dense brother and arsehole mother trying to find investors for their company- and maybe a hubs for Nora since she can’t find a man due to being smart and inventing things like a typewriter. Ew gross, who wants to marry a woman like that? Nora goes to a ladies club and requests a kiss from a stranger bc #desperate. Rook, a viscount, kisses her as a favor to his brother who owns da club. Nora refuses to marry bc she wants to be a bizness lady and Rook refuses to marry bc his dad was the Earl of Manwhores with approx 33200 bastard kids and he doesn’t wanna be like his daddy. Despite wanting to remain single and friendzoning each other, Rook and Nora spend most of the book making out and even have quite the rendezvous in a greenhouse. Like the old saying goes “those who bone in glass houses shouldn’t throw bones in glass houses”…but these horny hooligans do it anyway.
This was a fun and sexy historical romp. There was a bit too much exposition about typewriters and machines and now I know why nobody wanted to bang Nora…bc typewriters aren’t very sexy or interesting. Thankfully, I’m not here to bang Nora, but Rook is and he found typewriters to be a super turn on- qwerty and flirty!!!
Smut- 3 stars
Romance- 4.6 stars
Story- 4.1 stars
Me inventing the saying “qwerty and flirty™️�- 8.3 stars
February 13, 2024
CW: Death of a parent (off-page); infidelity (not main couple); sexism; bullying
Oh my god, this book made me so giddy! It’s so swoon-worthy and romantic, and I am absolutely obsessed with Rook and Leonora. I’ve been lukewarm on the Chessmen series � the previous two books have been missing that special something that makes ’s books magical. But this book, this book had all the emotions and everything I’ve been wanting from the Chessmen series, and I’m just sad we had to wait until the last one to get it!
While the romance is built off insta-lust, the connection between Rook and Leonora goes so much deeper than that. Sure, they have the hots for each other (and boy, do they have the HOTS for each other), but Rook also loves her for her brain and passion for her work. Oh my god, these two together � they melted my heart. He encourages her and builds her up in the best ways possible. I DIED at the surprise that he gave her around midway through as it brought Leonora so much joy, and it showed how well he knew her and what he would do to make her happy. I seriously was mush at how he encouraged her love of engineering and how much joy it brought him to see her happy. She can be herself around him and know he’ll accept her as she is.
Despite the instant attraction, the romantic relationship still felt like a slow burner as they spent time getting to know each other on a deeper level in between stealing hidden kisses at balls and secret trysts. It’s so clear that they love each other, but they’re both hesitant to voice those feelings. But when they do, oh my god, I swooned. The declarations of love in this book were *chefs kiss* and all the feelings and emotions that went along with it are why I love Lorraine Heath’s books. She’s so good at making your heart feel all the things.
I was SHOCKED that I didn’t make the connection that John Castleton, aka Rook, aka the Viscount of Wyeth, was the brother of Aiden Trewlove. As a massive fan of the Sins For All Seasons series, I was kicking myself for not realizing that when I read the blurb as we met Viscount Wyeth in . I was so excited when I realized that this book was deeply intertwined with the Trewloves, and I loved all the cameo appearances. If you’re a fan of Lorraine Heath’s most recent two series, you’ll really appreciate seeing so many key players again (I know I was screaming with joy every time one showed up). You don’t have to have read Heath’s Sins for All Seasons or Once Upon a Dukedom series to enjoy this book, but it does bring something extra special to those readers who have read it.
My heart melted for Rook! He’s been the one Chessmen we’ve known the least about, but I was so excited to get his story once I realized who he was. Rook is so upstanding and tries to avoid any hint of scandal, as his father is literally the world’s WORST man and the biggest libertine I’ve ever seen. He’s very careful with his emotions and romances as he never wants to be like his father. But of course, when he meets Leonora, that becomes a challenge, yet he still tries so hard to keep his heart (and lust) in check. What I love about him is how much he cares for Leonora. Unlike other men who mock her for her passions, he encourages them. All he wants to do is see a smile on her face, and I just love that. I also really appreciated seeing his relationship with Aiden � they definitely have that brotherly bond despite not being raised together.
Leonora was so not what I expected when I first met her, and I love that! I don’t know why, but I expected her to be more of a shy wallflower as she goes to the Elysium ladies club to get her first kiss, but she’s so not that. She’s outspoken and goes after what she wants. I loved her passion for her family’s business and the writing machine she created with her father. I melted when hearing what drove her to make the writing machine succeed, as her love for her father shone through. She’s willing to do anything to get the investors she needs to fulfill her father’s legacy, even if her mother and brother do not believe in it or her (her mother is truly the WORST). If you like a woman in STEM, I feel like you’ll love Leonora as she’s very much an engineer, as she loves taking things apart to figure out how to put them back together again and coming up with new machines that make everyday tasks easier. As a woman, she’s definitely looked down upon for her talents, but that’s why I loved how much Rook encouraged them! He was one of the few people in her life who encouraged her interests and made her feel seen.
The plot of this isn’t groundbreaking, and sure, it was a little predictable, but what makes this book so good is the romance and the emotions! Something about this story and these characters just clicked for me. The connection between Leonora and Rook was apparent from their first meeting, and watching that connection grow and develop was magical. I was swept up in the emotions and the romance and couldn’t get enough of these two! Truly, I feel like I’m obsessed with them. I was missing that emotional connection in The Counterfeit Scoundrel and The Notorious Mr. Knightly, but this delivered it in spades.
I’m so glad the Chessmen: Masters of Seduction series ends on a high note! I already can tell this will be another Lorraine Heath book that I know I will be revisiting in the future. It’s so romantic, swoonworthy, and sweet, and I could easily see this joining as a new comfort read.
Thank you to Avon/Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts, ideas, and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
December 2, 2023
2 🌟's
... a really hard miss for me 😬 i need a bit more angst/conflict in my romances and unfortunately, we didn't really get that until the end.. so essentially i was just bored and skimming the entire book .. which is saddening because i abso loved and had so much fun reading book 1 and 2 :/
alas.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to the publisher Avon and Harper Voyager for the e-ARC via Netgalley!
... a really hard miss for me 😬 i need a bit more angst/conflict in my romances and unfortunately, we didn't really get that until the end.. so essentially i was just bored and skimming the entire book .. which is saddening because i abso loved and had so much fun reading book 1 and 2 :/
alas.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to the publisher Avon and Harper Voyager for the e-ARC via Netgalley!
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